Korean War
1950-1953
Medal of Honor Recipient
Cpl LEE HUGH
PHILLIPS, USMC
Medal of Honor
1950
E-2-7-1st
Marine Division
Korea
Although he survived that action, he was killed at Yudam-ni on 27 November 1950, during a later phase of the hard-fought Chosin Reservoir campaign. The medal was presented to his mother on 29 March 1954 by Secretary of the Navy Robert B. Anderson. The Pentagon ceremony also included presentation of posthumous Medals of Honor to the families of Sergeants James E. Johnson and Daniel P. Matthews.
Corporal Phillips’ Medal of Honor was awarded “for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty" while serving as a Squad Leader of Company E, 2d Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 4 November 1950. (Citation below)
Lee Hugh Phillips was born on 3 February 1930 in Stockbridge, Georgia. He attended school in Ellenwood, Georgia, until 1945, then worked six months painting picture frames for the Georgia Art Supply Company of Atlanta, and more than a year as a stock clerk at the Davison-Paxton department store in that city. He enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve on 17 January 1948, and after six months of inactive duty, joined the regular Marine Corps on 19 July 1948.
Completing his recruit training at Parris Island, South Carolina, in October 1948, he was promoted to private first class and assigned to the 8th Marines, 2d Marine Division, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He remained with the 8th Marines for a year, serving with the regiment on Caribbean maneuvers in February and March 1949, and in the Mediterranean from May to September 1949. He then served with Company E, 2d Battalion, 6th Marines, until August 1950, when the battalion was assigned to the 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, for service in Korea. He sailed from San Diego, California, with that unit in September 1950, and had fought with Company E in the capture of Seoul before he was killed in action and buried at the Chosin Reservoir.
Corporal Phillips was also awarded a posthumous Purple Heart Medal for his fatal wounds. His other medals and decorations included the Presidential Unit Citation with two bronze stars; the Navy Occupation Service Medal with Europe clasp; the National Defense Service Medal; the Korean Service Medal with two bronze stars and the United Nations Service Medal.
CITATION:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to
CORPORAL LEE H. PHILLIPS
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following:
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and
beyond the call of duty while serving as a Squad Leader of Company E, Second
Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division(Reinforced), in action
against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 4 November 1950. Assuming the
point position in the attack against a strongly defended and well-entrenched
numerically superior enemy force occupying a vital hill position which had
been unsuccessfully assaulted on five separate occasions by units of the
Marine Corps and other friendly forces, Corporal Phillips fearlessly led his
men in a bayonet charge up the precipitous slope under a deadly hail of
hostile mortar, small-arms and machine-gun fire. Quickly rallying his squad
when it was pinned down by a heavy and accurate mortar barrage, he continued
to lead his men through the bombarded area and, although only five members
were left in the casualty ridden unit, gained the military crest of the hill
where he was immediately subjected to an enemy counterattack. Although
greatly outnumbered by an estimated enemy squad, he skillfully directed the
fire of his men and employed his own weapon with deadly effectiveness to
repulse the numerically superior hostile force. By his valiant leadership,
indomitable fighting spirit and resolute determination in the face of heavy
odds, Corporal Phillips served to inspire all who observed him and was
directly responsible for the destruction of the enemy stronghold. His great
personal valor reflects the highest credit upon himself and enhances and
sustains the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
/S/ DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER
Corporal Phillips boldly
engaged the hostile force with hand grenades and rifle fire and, exhorting
his gallant group of Marines to follow him, stormed forward to completely
overwhelm the enemy. With only three men now left in his squad, he proceeded
to spearhead an assault on the last remaining strong point which was
defended by four of the enemy on a rocky and almost inaccessible portion of
the hill position. Using one hand to climb up the extremely hazardous
precipice, he hurled grenades with the other and, with two remaining
comrades, succeeded in annihilating the pocket of resistance and in
consolidating the position. Immediately subjected to a sharp counterattack
by an estimated enemy squad, he skillfully directed the fire of his men and
employed his own weapon with deadly effectiveness to repulse the numerically
superior hostile force. By his valiant leadership, indomitable fighting
spirit and resolute determination in the face of heavy odds, Corporal
Phillips served to inspire all who observed him and was directly responsible
for the destruction of the enemy stronghold. His great personal valor
reflects the highest credit upon himself and enhances and sustains the
finest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
/S/ DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER
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